ok realllly dumb question, well sort of

[1993MTXSHO]

heres my dumb yet not dumb at the same time question. When assembling the engine I didn't make the rod cap arrows face front (well they might be facing front but I didn't look.). What I did was looked at the mark from where the old bearing tab was and lined it up that way. Theres probably a 1% chance there on wrong, but i don't want to take the chance with a 5k dollar engine. So my question is, does it really matter what way there on, (i think it does because it lines the rod up right) or does it make no difference? The caps are on the right rods because I had it high speed balanced and made sure of that, but they might just be reversed.

EDI: also can i see if they are facing the right way w/o taking every cap off again or am i going to have to take them all off again? Can i just look ot make sure the writing on the sides lines up or will that not work?

 

[yamahaSHO]

I'm not sure what you're saying...

The front of the rod and cap are marked. These must be aligned perfectly. There is no guess work to it.

 

[Toolman]

If you followed the markings from the old bearings, you will be fine. If you are worried, it is easy to verify, as there is a mark going from the rod the the cap, so a visual check can be made.

 

[SHObill]

The new bearings tell you nothing. The rod caps MUST go on its mating rod & be rotated correctly according to its marks. The rods & caps are machined (broached) as an assembly & must be reinstalled in the factory orientation or you could very well spin one. Like Jason said there is no guess work! They are marked just like the cam caps though not as well.

 

[HotRodKid]

all caps must go back on their original rods, and must all be facing the original dirrection

anything else is flirting with disaster

 

[1993MTXSHO]

ok thats what i figured, I don't think you guys get how i did them but i dont know how to explain it. Can I just match up the writing lie the A8 thats split when the rod caps are off, or do i have to remove them to see if they are on right?

What im asking is, is there anyway to know if they are facing the right way besides this mark? Or is this mark visible when the shortblock is assembled, well at least the crank and rods/caps.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

Actually im going to go look at my old 3.0L its still assembled

EDIT: just looked, I can see them on my 3.0L so id assume id be able to see them on this other engine. Although iv discovered all these rods, caps etc are different, at least they have different markings and words on them.

 

[Toolman]

Like I said, when the cap is off, there is a visible indicator from the tab of the old bearing. So if you used that as a guide, all is well. You stated you put the correct cap with its matching rod, so all is well. And you can clearly see (with some good light), the markings on the outsided of the cap/rod for a quick visual inspection.

 

[yamahaSHO]

ok thats what i figured, I don't think you guys get how i did them but i dont know how to explain it. Can I just match up the writing lie the A8 thats split when the rod caps are off, or do i have to remove them to see if they are on right?

What im asking is, is there anyway to know if they are facing the right way besides this mark? Or is this mark visible when the shortblock is assembled, well at least the crank and rods/caps.

That picture should answer all of your questions. Just make sure each cap is on their original rod... OR if you had them resized, that they are on the rod you had them resized to.

Like I said, when the cap is off, there is a visible indicator from the tab of the old bearing. So if you used that as a guide, all is well. You stated you put the correct cap with its matching rod, so all is well. And you can clearly see (with some good light), the markings on the outsided of the cap/rod for a quick visual inspection.

Tim, I know what you're saying and you are right, however, if they have been cleaned and/or resized/cleaned, those tab marks will no longer be present.


The best possible way to do it is to follow the picture posted. It shows the writing on the front of the rod and the bump on the cap which both indicated the front of the motor. Also, the writing stamped on the sides, regardless of what it actually says should match up. Just be sure you didn't mix the caps up.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

ok guys took the pan off, and i could see everything i needed w/o taking anything else off (god did that make me happy). As if that wasnt enough, I had them all on the right way so i buttoned her back up and shes ready for those pos heads i have, if i ever get them fixed